In Luke 15, Jesus told of a story of a father who had two sons. The younger decided he no longer needed his father, and desired to move far from him. He was mature enough to handle life on his own. Without patience, out of due season, he demanded his father give him all of his inheritance. Displaying no wisdom, the young fellow wasted all that he had in a rebellious lifestyle. There arose a famine in the land, whereby the boy did find himself alone and in need of basic necessities such as food and shelter. Forced into humility, he did eat and mingle among the unclean swine.

But, amidst his darkest moment, Jesus says, “he came to himself.” The son who had rebelled against his father, demanded that which was not yet his, and lived unto himself did have an inward awakening which did cause the young man to see himself for exactly who he was: one unworthy to be called a son, deserving of nothing.

The scripture says man has both a conscience and the Holy Spirit which do convict and move man toward repentance [John 8:9; Romans 2:15; Romans 9:1]; though the conscience may be seared [1 Timothy 4:2] and the Holy Spirit grieved [Ephesians 4:30]. The question is what are we doing when that still small voice inside of us starts telling us what we are doing or what we have done is wrong? Do we “come to ourselves” and desire to renew our fellowship with our Father God, or do we quickly find a way to silence our conscience and turn a deaf ear to the Spirit?

Jesus tells us this son humbly went unto his father with True Repentance, seeing his thoughts and deeds for what they were, declaring he had sinned against God and his father. Where is it that we see ourselves in this story; for indeed have we all sinned against our Father.

Have we tried to take a heavenly inheritance to use while we do wonder upon this earth, while desiring to distance ourselves far from the very Father who has given us so much through His grace? Have we come back to our Father with True Repentance, or are we blindly still wallowing in the mire and eating of the husk with the swine?

May neither our conscience nor the Spirit of God ever leave us unto ourselves, lest we never taste the fruits of True Repentance.

It is my belief that True Repentance from a biblical stand point far surpasses the simple definition given by a quick glance online at www.dictionary.com: (noun) deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like. This does not mean that I disagree or do not believe that the definition should not include such, but that there is so much more to the concept of True Repentance.

How often do persons (perhaps even ourselves) remain in sin all the while feeling a sense of sorrow for wrongdoing? Possibly so far as to cause one to fall into depression, while they wallow in despair. Is that True Repentance? Simply feeling sorrow about the lifestyle, thoughts, or actions we are currently involved in, while exercising no change to the contrary? What benefit would that provide, but to lead us further down the path of hopelessness?

I believe any biblical definition of True Repentance must be twofold. On the one side, there must not only be an emotion of sorrow but also an action of turning from sin intellectually, spiritually, and physically. Meaning we should think, desire, and move contrary to whatever we have been made aware of that needs repentance. Yet, we cannot merely turn from something without turning to something (or someone) else.

Therefore, the definition of True Repentance must include both the turning away from sin, and, secondly, the turning unto something (or someone) else; namely, faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For the acknowledgement, sorrow, and turning away from sin alone is not the cause of regeneration itself; though it is a necessary component of the conviction, confession, and conversion experience as a whole.

True Repentance, of the biblical nature, cannot simply end at the sorrow of sin, but must follow through with putting trust in the very Savior who can cleanse it. We are not and cannot be thoughtless or actionless beings; therefore, when we turn from one object we must of necessity turn unto another. It is marvelous to have a turning from sin, but such shall be fruitless without a turning unto Christ; for to turn anywhere but unto Him leaves us no better off than remaining in our original sin.

I would like to take just a moment to welcome you to TrueRepentance.org.

In Luke 13, there arose some who mentioned “the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices” and “those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them”, apparently with the notion that these were all somehow “sinners above all men.” Christ rather quickly diminished any such idea by replying, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Contrary to the teachings of some pastors, teachers, institutions, and the like, repentance is vital to salvation and Christianity as a whole. True Repentance is a global necessity, if there is to be any spiritual growth within individuals, families, churches, and nations. Without repentance there can be no forgiveness of sin, and without forgiveness of sin there is no fellowship with God.

I am uncertain at the present where all this blog may lead, but am prayerful that it will serve at the very least two purposes. The one (1) is so that the lost may know repentance is necessary to shed the depravity of sin, to embrace the righteousness of Christ, and to have fellowship with God. The second (2) is likened unto it, in that the saved would remember sin in our lives will hinder our relationship with God, and only repentance can restore that fellowship.

May we learn together, serve one another, and live in obedience with humility and True Repentance.